Mentor Match FAQs

Mentor Match is the latest addition to an expanding line-up of our services to support members’ professional development needs. It is an online tool – including a searchable database – that facilitates the establishment of mentoring relationships. It is user-driven, allowing registered Mentees to search among registered Mentors using specified criteria to find individuals whose experience and expertise match areas in which they wish to be mentored. Likewise, registered Mentors can search for and identify potential Mentees.

Is there a fee associated with using Mentor Match?

Mentor Match is a benefit of membership and is available only to members. There is no extra charge to use this resource.

How are Mentors and Mentees matched?

Members must first enroll as a Mentor or Mentee. During the enrollment process, members will select preferences for various demographics (including Career Stage and Mentoring Topics) to establish their personal criteria.

A registered Mentee will visit the “Find a Mentor” page and fill in their search criteria to search for possible Mentors. The Mentee will click the names of the potential Mentors to view their profiles. Once the Mentee has decided on a Mentor, they will click on the Mentor badge to request that person as their Mentor. An e-mail will be sent to the Mentor alerting them that they have been requested to be a Mentor. The Mentor will be able to accept or decline the request.

A registered Mentor will visit the “Find a Mentee” page and fill in their search criteria to search for possible Mentees. The Mentor will click the names of the potential Mentees to view their profiles. Once the Mentor has decided on a Mentee, they will click on the Mentee badge to request that person as their Mentee. An e-mail will be sent to the Mentee alerting them that they have been requested to be a Mentee. The Mentee will be able to accept or decline the request.

FOR MENTORS

How do I become a Mentor?

If you are a member, click here to enroll as a Mentor. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various demographics and also to complete your member profile.

Who are the Mentees?

Mentees are other members who need you to help support their career and research.

Can I have more than one Mentee?

Mentors can have up to two mentees at a time. You can limit the number of Mentee requests you are willing to accept on the Mentoring enrollment page.

How do I find Mentees?

Once you have enrolled as a Mentor, go the "Find a Mentee" page and select the criteria you want to use for your Mentee search. Click on the Mentees'' names to view their profiles. Once you have found a good match, click on the Mentee badge to send the Mentee an email request.

How will I know if a Mentee has selected me as their Mentor?

You will receive an e-mail from the Mentee requesting you to be their Mentor. You will be prompted to accept or reject the request.

Is it okay to decline a request?

Yes, but there should be a good reason to do so. We encourage you to at least have an initial conversation to explore whether the relationship would be mutually fulfilling. If a potential Mentee has misinterpreted information in your profile, you may find him/her to be an inappropriate match. If you want to decline a request, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and check the “decline” button next to the specific request.

What if I’m going to be on vacation or unavailable for a period of time?

Go to the "Mentor Enrollment" page, click the “Mentor Status” link then click on the check-box next to “Temporarily Not Participating.” Doing this will indicate that you are not accepting any Mentee requests at the moment, and your mentoring profile will not be included in a Mentee’s search for a Mentor. It is your responsibility to communicate your availability to your existing Mentees.

How do I end a mentoring relationship?

Mentor Match relationships are three months in length. If the mentoring relationship is complete, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and mark the relationship as “completed.”

If the mentoring relationship isn't working out, please email mentor@geron.org to discuss options.

What are the expectations for participating Mentors?

We encourage you to review the Mentor Match resources found on the Mentoring home page. In addition, the terms for a mentoring relationship are as follows;

- Treat all those in the Mentor Match community with respect.
- Put an honest effort and commit sufficient time towards each mentoring relationship established.
- While the recommended minimum number of hours volunteered during this relationship should be five hours during the three month relationship period, GSA recognizes that mentoring time commitments may go above or beyond the minimum scope. It is the responsibility of the mentor and mentee to clearly communicate expectations of the relationship.
- Do not promote any goods or services in which you have a personal interest.
- Represent yourself honestly.
- Maintain a high standard of personal and professional conduct.
- Support the goals established within the relationship.
- Maintain confidentiality within the mentoring relationships.
- Refer any questions of issues for which you feel unqualified to GSA Headquarters.

How much time will I need to invest as a Mentor?

While the recommended minimum number of hours volunteered during this relationship should be five hours during the three month relationship period, GSA recognizes that mentoring time commitments may go above or beyond the minimum scope. It is the responsibility of the mentor and mentee to clearly communicate expectations of the relationship..

What benefits do I receive from the organization if I participate as a Mentor in the program?

All Mentors are volunteers. As an active program participant, you will receive a ribbon identifying you as a Mentor.

FOR MENTEES

How do I become a Mentee?

If you are a member, click here to enroll as a Mentee. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various demographics and also to complete your member profile.

Who are the Mentors?

Mentors are other members who have volunteered their time to support other members' careers.

Can I have more than one Mentor?

While there is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you
can establish, we recommend that you be judicious in selecting only Mentors who are most suited to your mentoring needs. Please keep in mind that Mentors have
limited time to offer and may have other Mentoring relationships.

How do I find a Mentor?

Once you have enrolled as a Mentee, go the "Find a Mentor" page and select the criteria you want to use for your Mentor search. Click on the Mentors' names to view their profiles. Once you have found a good match, click on the Mentor badge to send the Mentor an email request.

What should I do if I don’t hear from the Mentor I requested?

If you don’t hear from the Mentor within one or two weeks, feel free
to contact them using the contact information found on their profile
page. You can also email mentor@geron.org.

It is up to you and your Mentor to decide how, when and where you
want to pursue your mentoring relationship. It is likely that most of
your communication will occur by phone or electronically. As part of your enrollment process, you will declare what communication mediums work best for you. It is important to establish how you will communicate and how often with your mentor at the start of the mentoring relationship.

How long does the mentoring relationship last?

Mentor Match relationships are three months in length. If the mentoring relationship is complete, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and mark the relationship as “completed.”

Mentor Match is supported by The Mentoring Effect, a special project of the GSA Innovation Fund.